This week marks the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and we wish to mark this momentous achievement by expressing our thanks for her dedication to the role. Bunting and flags are rapidly multiplying up and down the Thames. It’s really quite a sight.
Route News
More rain has fallen – some of it quite heavy. Still no impact on the Path other than a feeling of freshness.
There are still a number of diversions in place. Starting from the source:
The renovation to the Rose Revived in Newbridge has resulted in the path being closed with no diversions in place. Our suggestion is to follow the road/lane parallel to the river and alongside the pub until you see a lane to your right. Go down the lane, ignoring the privacy notices, to rejoin the Thames Path at the river.
At Goring, diversions are in place immediately downstream of the bridge. It’s well signposted. Go up the High Street, right on Manor Road (opposite Miller of Mansfield), right on Ferry Lane at the Turkish barbers (not quite so well signposted!) which takes you back to the river;
We are pleased to report that the diversion around the closed boardwalk downstream from Marsh Lock, Henley is well and truly in place and is well signposted.
There’s a small diversion in place from Graburn Way alongside East Molesey Cricket Ground to Sadlers Rise at Hurst Park for two weeks while the council repairs the surface.
Finally, there’s a diversion in Greenwich which we haven’t seen yet. Short in length (about 200 metres) but long in time (until October). Diversions are in place using roads. The diversions are required as work is undertaken on flood defences.
You may be interested in the following youtube video about the source of the Thames. It’s very well presented and has some beautiful shots.
Events
The Boomtown Rats were at the Lechlade Music Festival at the weekend. They spent Sunday night at the New Inn and two of our walkers even had an encounter with Sir Bob the next morning who was staying in the opposite room. Apparently he wasn’t very talkative but, remember, he doesn’t like Monday’s!
Henley is hosting the Traditional Boat Festival on 15-17 July, an opportunity for enthusiasts to display older, traditionally built craft.
Reminders:
A series of courses is being offered by North Meadow, Cricklade:
Moths & Butterfiles 11-12 June
Damesfly Identifcation 25 June
To register, please click here.
Kelmscott Manor, the former home of William Morris, has now re-opened. Opening times are Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Last admission is 4pm. Pre-booking is advised.
Marble Hill in Twickenham has finally re-opened. See here for more details.
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has a special exhibition dedicated to Pissarro (1830-1903), the father of impressionism. The exhibition opens on February 18 and runs until June 12.
Pope’s Grotto Trust at Teddington is hosting an open day on June 26 and 27. Tickets available here. The grotto was created by the celebrated poet, Alexander Pope and now sits below Radnor House.
Tate Modern has launched an exhibition entitled Surrealism beyond Borders and runs until August 29. It includes works by Magritte and Dali.
Passport Update
We can now offer retrospective stamping of passports. Simply purchase the passport online and email us your dates and we will stamp the relevant sections prior to sending to you. For those who have used us for baggage transfers or packages, we already have your dates so will add those in! Here’s a link to the shop where you can get your passport.
And finally…
A number of scarecrow trails have appeared locally. Here’s the most impressive we’ve seen at the top of Mapledurham Drive in Purley on Thames
That’s all folks. See you on the trail!